Cartels ‘squeeze’ small businesses, sidewalk vendors in Tijuana

SAN DIEGO ( Border Report ) — Small businesses in Tijuana, including sidewalk vendors, are having to pay about $100 per week to cartels in order to remain in business, officials say.

Gina Villalobos González, with the Small Business Chamber of Commerce in the city, says small grocery stores, pharmacies, tire shops, garages, hair salons and even taco carts are being “squeezed” by cartels, paying what’s known as “ cobro de paso ,” which roughly translates into a toll.

“They are threatened with violence or destruction of their property,” she said. “At the beginning of the year, it was 500 to 1,000 pesos per week depending on the scope of the business, now it’s gotten more expensive.”

Villalobos stated that since the beginning of the year, 40 small businesses have filed complaints with their office, saying they are being forced to pay fees to cartels.

And she said, so far this year, 10 small businesses have shut down because they couldn’t pay the extortion fees. That’s on top of 30 businesses last year.

“These are victims; we have to keep fighting against this dark crime,” she said. “Many times the victims are afraid to come forward and follow through with formal complaints, we’re trying to work on their behalf.”

Baja California’s Secretary of Public Safety says it has received 26 formal complaints of extortion from business owners in Tijuana this year, but prosecutors say it’s difficult going to court when most people are too afraid to testify.

“Merchants also don’t always trust authorities or the court system, and that’s why many crimes go unreported or prosecuted,” Villalobos González said. “And whenever you do get a conviction, the sentences are very light, it’s not a deterrent.”

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